Synopsis: Bob Beckel discusses this very poignant memoir his life raised in an impoverished, alcoholic home and the continued lifelong struggle with addiction..all while under the glaring spotlight of politics and television.

My rating: 5 Stars

My opinion: So, I have to say that I come into this book review with a bias. I absolutely adore and respect Bob Beckel and, in his time with Fox News, learned so much from him regarding accepting people for who they are versus political ideology, it isn't even funny.As a COA, this was a tough read for me, but it is also what makes it an incredibly powerful read. As a child of an alcoholic, Mr. Beckel writes with such brutal honesty and insight into his early years in an abusive, alcoholic home that I found myself reflecting on incidents in my own home growing up while numerous moments of catching myself holding my breath. This insight isn't only on blaming parents for a less than idealistic home life. With keen insight, Beckel takes a deep look into the progression of his own addiction and the behaviors that followed. I have to admit that I paid very little attention to the political or television side of the memoir with the exception of how they played into the addictive behavioral pattern. Source: Purchased

Would I recommend? : As a COA and former addictions counselor, this book has risen to my number one book to recommend for those in treatment or recovery. Beckel, in his typical humility, has taught lessons that every addict should walk away with regarding the past impacting the present and the fragile state of recovery. This story gives excellent discussion points for use as a form of bibliotherapy.

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Stand Alone

Note: Idealog comments bashing either Mr. Beckel or Fox News will not even see the light of day of this review. Don't bother wasting your time typing them. Comments on this blog are very closely monitored. On that note (and since it is MY blog), I can say is the day Fox News fired Beckel was the last day this LOYAL viewer stopped watching Fox News. I remember the day they did the show from Washington DC and now see that as being a prop versus a true support of Bob Beckel. If Beckel would have had cancer, upon his return, as many other news stations have done, Beckel would have been paraded around and put on a pedestal. Just food for thought.....